Hangman (Latah) Creek Watershed

Planning Unit Meeting

Spokane County Conservation District

February 3, 2005

Chair:             Walt Edelen, Spokane County Conservation District (SCCD)

Present:          Keith Holliday, Department of Ecology

Dee Bailey, Coeur d’Alene Tribe

                        Bruce Carmack, Landowner

                        Bill Rickard, City of Spokane, Environmental Programs

            Shallan Dawson, Spokane County Conservation District

            Reanette Boese, Spokane County

            Rick Noll, Spokane County Conservation District

            Peter Grunte, Landowner

            Garry Ostheller, Landowner

AGENDA/Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.  The minutes from January 19th meeting were distributed, and approved by consensus.  One change was noted: Dee Bailey was listed in attendance for the January 19th meeting.  She was not present and will be removed from the attendance list.

SEPA/EIS Process

The planning unit agreed to adopt the EIS process developed through Ecology for watershed planning (Ecology pub # 03-06-013).  The Planning Unit also agreed to utilize the The Determination of Significance Option for the SEPA review.  Walt will develop a table that designates the appropriate alternative per plan recommendation.  Coordination between Spokane County and Whitman County will be investigated by Walt, as they can either have joint or co-lead representation.

Tekoa Golf Course

Walt has had contact with one of the board members regarding the water rights for the Golf Course.  Bill suggested that this issue is out of the hands of the planning unit and we no longer need to be involved.  Walt disagreed and stated that the planning unit needs to remain involved until the issue is resolved.  Walt will continue to work with the golf course, and Ecology to discuss options and alternatives for the situation.

Draft MOA

The Draft MOA was initiated by Walt.  This discussion of the MOA was tabled until a later date.

Review Comments/Responsiveness Summary

Walt will develop a Responsiveness Summary and distribute it to the Planning Unit Members.  The Summary will illustrate what action (if any) was taken to address the comment.  The Summary will be placed in an appendix for the plan document.  The remainder of the comments were discussed and reviewed for final revisions.  Walt will revise the recommendations  and distribute them to the Planning Unit.

Schedule

The new recommendation table will be updated and Walt hopes to have this e-mailed to the group by tomorrow (Friday the 4^th of February).  Bill would like a draft of the plan with all the changes by the 17^th of February. There will be a workshop at the City to review the plans. Bill estimated up to two months after the workshop for the plan to be approved by the City Council.

Keith was concerned about sending the document through approval process without another discussion of the instream flow issue.  Keith will draft some language for the group to review and he will schedule a meeting to discuss the language.

The County will hold a public meeting after they review the document.  After the public meeting they can approve the plan.  The SCCD will need to set up a meeting with the County Commissioners to present the plan.

The group agreed to meet on April 28^th to approve the plan, if it goes through City Council. Reanette’s vote will not count as approval from the County Commissioners.

The final draft plan will include “Final Draft” with the month, day and year.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be to discuss in-stream flow on February 23^rd, from 10 am to 12 noon, if needed to discuss instream flow

The following meeting will be April 28^th to approve the plan from 10 am to 12 noon.